Maw Band brings Sunshine Screaming

(Published in Planet JH Weekly)When singer-songwriter Brian Maw decided to stop playing wide receiver for the Idaho State Bengals, he picked up a guitar instead of a football. When a downswing in the economy led to his unemployment as an project manager/energy modeler for homes, he decided not to only write more songs and get better at the guitar, but to get out and perform at Wildlife Brewery's open mic night in Victor. That’s where he would eventually meet drummer Eli Preston. Now, he hosts the open mic when he’s not on the road with The Maw Band.The current lineup for The Maw Band has only been together since February—Maw on vocals/acoustic guitar, Preston, Jaremy Jess on electric bass, and the latest addition, percussionist Abbott Frank. Around the same time that these chips fell into place, the quartet entered IE Productions’ studio in Idaho Falls to cut a five-song EP, Sunshine Screaming.“Our first gig as a band this year was opening for The Romantics down in Fort Hall Event Center and it just kind of went crazy from there,” Maw explained of the band’s current upward trajectory. “The guys there were all about booking us for the biggest show in Idaho with Micky & the Motorcars and Reckless Kelly, who have really helped us out too. It’s flooring me what we are doing now.”The Maw Band’s summer schedule is dense, with forty dates planned for the Northwest region, including the Knitty Factory in Boise this week. Singing emotively over a percussive acoustic guitar, Maw’s music brings to mind Dave Matthews’ darker, later albums with an even harder rock edge, at times. He also gives props to Jack White, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Modest Mouse as being in his regular listening rotation. As a writer, Maw may draw from personal experience and living in Teton Valley for nine years, but ultimately, its written for the masses.“I write with emotion based on my experiences, but its not geared towards me. It’s for everyone, and I try to focus on what everyone may go through at some point,” Maw said of his lyrical approach. “Not everyone gets to sit down and stare at beauty in every direction when they try to relax, or write a song. I love living here, the people are fantastic and my experiences have definitely contributed to the music.”Sunshine Screaming, which is in the final stages of mixing and mastering, will be released at the end of June. The tunes range from the Neil Young-inspired “Devil’s Way,” to a heavy, drop-d tuned love song “Ride,” to “Moonbeams & Dust,” written after spending time in a Teton Valley log cabin that had stories written on the inside walls about what you see on the outside.The band also likes to show its roots by covering a song or two during a set. Some of Maw’s favorites are Men at Work’s “Down Under,” Jack White’s “7 Nation Army,” “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons, and “Stay” by Dave Matthews Band.To get a sneak peak at the EP, and to check out some of Maw’s other material, surf to ReverbNation.com/BrianMaw. The Maw Band, 9:30 p.m. Thursday June 13 at Town Square Tavern. Free. 733-3886.